This evening, my husband and I drove to Decatur, GA, one of Atlanta's many suburbs (exurbs?  outlying kinda-cities?) to see Ellis Paul and Antje Duvekot folk it up.  I have been a fan of Ms. Duvekot since my days as a cubicle-jockey in Chicago where I listened to Boston's WUMB folk radio online at my computer to stave off the suicidal impulses that seem to flood through me any time I'm surrounded by taupe half-walls, spreadsheets and flourescent lighting.  Her song "Dublin Boys" was so lovely, it could even make me smile at work.  I spoke with her briefly after her set and she asked me how I had heard her music in the first place.  I told her WUMB, but the story is a lot more complicated than that.  As we drove home, I started thinking about the remarkable chain of events that had to happen in order for me to wind up in Decatur, GA, listening to a nuevo-folkie concert.

I would never have heard of Ms. Duvekot if it hadn't been for WUMB folk radio.  I would never have heard of WUMB if it hadn't been for musician Alastair Moock's website.  I would never have heard of Alastair Moock if my friend Lori hadn't suggested that I might like her friend Alastair's music and invited me to one of his shows.  I would never have known my friend Lori if it hadn't been for the Improv Asylum, which I almost didn't audition for.  I would never have been part of the Improv Asylum's cast if it hadn't been for my friend Jack sending me an email out of the blue, suggesting that I give improvisation a try. 

The chain of coincidences and causality really amazes me, when I step back and look at it.  And, really, that one email from my friend Jack started so many other paths in my life.  If I hadn't been encouraged by someone I trust to give improv a shot, I would be poorer by countless scores of friends.  I would never have had the courage or the confidence to finally go to grad school.  I would never have written my one woman show.  I would also, probably, never have met my wonderful husband.

So what's the moral of the story?  I dunno.  Maybe it's just that if you're thinking of one of your friends and something they might enjoy, give them a call, send them an email, track them down, whatever.  You have no idea how far your words could carry them.